Land at Ford Farm Ashurst West

Archaeological Watching Brief

for Conergy

CA Project: 770267 CA Report: 16586

February 2016

Land at Ford Farm Ashurst

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 770267 CA Report: 16586

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 23.02.16 A. Howard Richard Internal General Edit Richard Greatorex review Greatorex B 20.10.16 A. Howard DDR Final DDR

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology

© Cotswold Archaeology Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 4

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 5

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 5

5. RESULTS (FIGURES 2-9) ...... 5

6. THE FINDS AND BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ...... 6

7. DISCUSSION ...... 6

8. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 6

9. REFERENCES ...... 6

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 7

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 The site, showing location of groundworks (1:5000) Fig. 3 General Ground Conditions Fig. 4 Haul Road Excavation Fig. 5 Substation Foundation (Trench 1) Fig. 6 Brownish red compact silty clay (1m scale) Fig. 7 Blueish Grey compact silty clay (1m Scale) Fig. 8 Greyish Yellow compact silty clay Fig. 9 Working Shot

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land at Ford Farm Location: Ashurst, West Sussex NGR: TQ 17213 17480 Type: Watching Brief Date: 11 January to 1 February 2016 Planning Reference: DC/13/2310 Location of Archive: Museum Site Code: FFA16

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundwork associated with the development of a Solar Farm at Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundwork associated with the excavation of cable trenches, substation foundations and access roads, and despite visual scanning of spoil no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.

As evidenced by the site photographs, the watching brief of the groundwork for the Solar Farm was undertaken, over the winter months and conditions were not conducive for archaeological recording. However the fact that no stray artefacts were identified from the excavated material suggests that the site is unlikely to have been subject to anything other than agricultural activity in the past.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In January and February 2016 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for Conergy at Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex, (centred on NGR: TQ 17213 17480; Figure 1).

1.2 Planning permission was granted (DC/13/2310) by Council (HDC) for the construction of a Solar Farm conditional on a programme of archaeological work comprising an Archaeological Watching Brief. Archaeological advice to HDC is currently provided by Martin Brown of White Young Green (WYG). The archaeological condition (5) of the planning permission requires the following:

• Notwithstanding the details hereby approved, the applicant shall arrange for an Archaeological Organisation or appropriately qualified archaeologist to monitor and record archaeological evidence that maybe uncovered as a result of the development, in accordance with a written scheme of investigation to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development.

• Reason: The site is potentially of archaeological interest and to ensure the appropriate investigation and recording of archaeological heritage assets on site, to comply with Policy DC10 of the Horsham District Policy Framework: General Development Control Policies (2007) and Paragraph 169 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

1.3 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2015) and approved by Martin Brown (WYG). The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological watching brief (CIfA 2014), and the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991), the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).

The site

1.4 The proposed development site is c. 28.8ha in size and is located to the north-west of Ashurst, West Sussex, to the west of Ford Farm (Figure 1). The site currently contains five agricultural fields (Figure 1). The proposed solar site is located at

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief

between 10- 20m above Ordnance Datum (aOD), sloping from north-south and east- west. The surrounding land within the study area is predominantly rural, comprising agricultural fields with scattered farmsteads and small areas of woodland. A stream runs to the north of the site, leading eastward into the River Adur.

1.5 The solid geology of the proposed development site comprises mudstones of the Clay Formation, overlain by Head Deposits of Clay, Silt, Sand and Gravel which cover the majority of the site. Alluvial deposits of Clay, Silt, Sand and Gravel are extant in the area northward of the site, and extend a small distance into the northernmost part of the site (BGS Online Viewer, consulted February 2016).

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 In October 2013 Cotswold Archaeology undertook a Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) on behalf of Lumicity Ltd at Ford Farm, West Sussex. Below is a summary of the results of the DBA.

2.2 It was considered possible there might be a limited potential for Palaeolithic remains within the site, based on its geological makeup. Likewise the topographic situation of the site may indicate some limited potential for remains of Neolithic and Bronze Age date. There is no indication of prehistoric activity of any period within the immediate environs of the site, although this may be related to an absence of previous archaeological investigation.

2.3 During the medieval period the landscape in which the site is located may have been characterised by woodland, subject to piecemeal clearance during the later medieval and post-medieval periods. By the end of the post-medieval period the site is known to have been exploited as agricultural land. A trackway crossing the site is shown on an early modern map, of which below ground remains may survive. The agricultural character of the site has continued throughout the modern period.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the archaeological works were:

• to monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development groundworks;

• at the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions that can be drawn from the recorded data.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2015). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the excavation of substation foundations (Trench 1) cable trenches (low voltage and earthing cables, Trenches 2 to 10) and access roads (Figures 2, 4 and 5).

4.2 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual.

4.3 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive will be deposited with Horsham Museum. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIGURES 2-9)

5.1 The natural geological substrate which consisted of a compact silt/clay was variable in colour, red/brown (Figure 6), brown/yellow (Figure 7), and blue/grey (Figure 8) was revealed at an average depth of 0.3m below present ground level. This was overlain by Topsoil averaging 0.3m in thickness, with no subsoil present.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief

5.2 No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks and, despite visual scanning of spoil, no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.

6. THE FINDS AND BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

6.1 No finds or biological evidence were recovered.

7. DISCUSSION

7.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the application area (see archaeological background above); the watching brief identified no archaeological remains within the area of observed groundworks. The archaeological activity associated with the Medieval or Palaeolithic periods identified by the DBA (CA 2013) were not exposed by the development. The average depth of trenches was 1.2m which did not expose any Palaeolithic deposits. The width of the trenches was 0.6m which limited the potential for observing any archaeological potential present.

8. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Adam Howard. The report was written by Adam Howard. The illustrations were prepared by Leo Heatly. The archive has been compiled by Tom Rowley, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Richard Greatorex.

9. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2016

CA 2013 Land at Ford farm, Ashurst, West Sussex – Heritage desk Based Assessment

CA 2016 Land at Ford farm, Ashurst, West Sussex Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Context Description L (m) W (m) Depth/ No. No. interpretation thickness (m) 1 100 Layer Topsoil Dark brown silty clay - 0.6 0 – 0.35m Light yellowish grey silty clay 1 101 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.35+ compact Mid grey silty clay firm 2 200 Layer Topsoil - 0.6 0.38m compaction 2 201 Layer Natural Geology Mid yellow silty clay compact - 0.6 0.38 - 1 Mid brownish grey sandy clay 2 202 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 1+ frequent dark mottling compact Mid grey silty clay firm 3 300 Layer Topsoil - 0.6 0 – 0.3 compaction Mid yellowish grey silty clay 3 301 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.3 compact 3 302 Layer Natural Geology Mid yellow silty clay compact - 0.6 0.3 – 1.2+ Mid brownish red silty clay 3 303 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.3 – 1.2+ compact Mid brownish yellow silty clay 3 304 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.3 – 1.2+ compact 4 400 Layer Topsoil Mid grey silty clay compact - 0.6 0 – 0.3 4 401 Layer Natural Geology Mid yellow silty clay compact - 0.6 0.3 – 1.2+ 5 500 Layer Topsoil Mid grey friable silty clay - 0.6 0 - 0.2 Mid brownish red silty clay 5 501 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.2 - 0.5 compact Dark brownish red silty clay 5 502 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.5 - 1 compact 5 503 Layer Natural Geology Light whitish blue silty clay - 0.6 1+ Mid grey silty clay firm 6 600 Layer Topsoil - 0.6 0 - 0.3 compaction Mid brownish red silty clay 6 601 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.3 – 1+ compact Mid brownish grey silty clay 7 700 Layer Topsoil - 0.6 0 – 0.23 compact Mid blueish grey silty clay 7 701 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.23 - 0.75+ compact Mid brownish red silty clay 7 702 Layer Natural Geology - 0.6 0.23 – 0.75+ compact 8 800 Layer Topsoil Mid grey silty clay compact - 0.6 0 – 0.29 8 801 Layer Natural Geology Mid brown yellow silty clay - 0.6 0.29 – 0.8 9 900 Layer Topsoil Mid grey silty clay compact - 0.6 0 – 0.3 9 901 Layer Natural Geology Mid brown yellow silty clay - 0.6 0.3 – 0.7+ 10 1000 Layer Topsoil Mid grey silty clay compact - 0.6 0 – 0.3 10 1000 Layer Natural Geology Mid brownish red silty clay - 0.6 0.3 – 1.2+

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex Short description (250 words maximum) An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the development of a Solar Farm at Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks associated with the excavation of cable trenches, substation foundations and access roads, and despite visual scanning of spoil no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.

Project dates 11 January to 1 February 2016 Project type Watching Brief

Previous work CA 2013 Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex – Heritage Desk Based Assessment

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex Study area (M2/ha) 28.8ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) TQ 17213 17480

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator none Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Richard Greatorex Project Supervisor Adam Howard MONUMENT TYPE none SIGNIFICANT FINDS none PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (museum/Accession no.)

Physical Horsham Museum none Paper Horsham Museum Trench Sheets, Photographic register, Digital Horsham Museum Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2016 Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst, West Sussex: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 16586

8 5 520000 5 516000 5 518000 2 1 1 0 6 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

112000020000

111800018000

111600016000

N Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 SURREY w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst WEST West Sussex SUSSEX FIGURE TITLE Site location plan CITY OF BRIGHTON & HOVE 0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2016 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 770267 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller CHECKED BY DJB DATE 22/02/16 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY REG SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 518000

119000

T3

T2

T7

T4

T8 T6

T9 T5 T1 (Substation) T10

not watched compound

Haul Road

118000

Andover 01264 347630 N Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 site boundary Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk observed groundworks e [email protected] PROJECT TITLE cable trench Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst trench 1 (substation) West Sussex FIGURE TITLE haul road Observed trench location plan: trench 1 substation, cable trenches 2 - 10

0 250m DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 770267 FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2016 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission CHECKED BY DATE of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office DJB 23/02/16 c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY REG SCALE@A4 1:5000 2 3 4

3 General ground conditions on site 4 Haul Road excavation and construction 5 Substation foundation looking north (1m scale)

5

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst West Sussex FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 770267 FIGURE NOs. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 22/02/16 APPROVED BY REG SCALE@A3 NA 3 to 5 6 7

6 Brownish red, compact silty clay natural (1m scale)

7 Blueish grey compact silty clay natural (1m scale) 8 Greyish yellow compact silty clay natural (1m scale)

8

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst West Sussex FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 770267 FIGURE NOs. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 23/02/16 APPROVED BY REG SCALE@A3 NA 6 to 8 9

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 9 Working shot w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Land at Ford Farm, Ashurst West Sussex FIGURE TITLE Photograph

DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 770267 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 23/02/16 APPROVED BY REG SCALE@A4 NA 9

9